Chip sanitizing device

ABSTRACT

A chip sanitizing device comprises an area that is substantially enclosed and includes a sanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb and a power source. One or more chips is placed within the device and after the germicidal bulb is activated the one or more chips is sanitized. In another embodiment of the invention a chip rack is modified to include a sanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb, a power source and a fan stored in a housing attached to the chip rack. The slots are modified to contain openings to allow ultraviolet light to reach the chips sitting atop the rack. The ultraviolet light may sterilize microorganisms such as germs and bacterium found on chips. A fan is used to provide circulation and may increase the likelihood of germs and bacteria coming into contact with the ultraviolet light. In a further embodiment of the invention a lid is provided that substantially covers the chip rack and stores the sanitizing unit. In a further embodiment, the inner surfaces of a lid or housing may be covered with reflective material to increase the likelihood that the ultraviolet light comes into contact with germs or bacteria.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/303,629 filed on Mar. 4, 2016 the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the presentapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The inventions disclosed within this application are directed to bettinggames and apparatuses where physical chips are used and stored.

Background of the Prior Art

Every year tens of millions of people from all over the world descendupon casinos in such locales as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macau andMonaco in order to gamble their money. They play popular games such aspoker, blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat. These games invariablyuse chips that correspond with different monetary amounts. The chips arestored on racks at the tables where the different games are played. Whena player sits at a table to play a game he may present his chip toindicate the amount he is betting. After a game is completed, thesechips can be exchanged with the house or other players, depending on whothe winner is.

While these players understand that they risk their money for thepotential reward of winning these games, they do not need additionalrisks to their health based on the germs on the chips. Dealers and othercasino employees may be familiar with the risk based on their dailyexperience with chips in the unique environment found at many casinosand some studies have indicated that such dealers have greater sicknessand absence rates than the general population. However, the generalpublic has become increasingly aware of this risk and is concerned withit.

The environment present at casinos is unique and a cause for concern.First, casinos attract large numbers of gamblers from all over thecountry, and sometimes from all over the world. For example, Las Vegasis ranked as one of the top tourist destination worldwide. The moreexotic the visitors, the greater the potential for different bacteriumand germs to be found.

Second, the casino floors are a closed environment. Unlike a healthieroutdoor setting, casinos do not typically have windows or naturalsunlight on the game floors. The casino floors also do not have cleanair circulating through them. Natural sunlight can kill some germs inthe air and fresh air from outside the casino could replace germs andbacteria.

Researchers have actually inspected different casinos and foundempirical evidence of different germs present at Las Vegas casinos. A2007 study by Bluff Magazine was conducted by collecting chips fromdifferent casinos using sterilized gloves. After collecting the chipsand allowing them to incubate the researchers inspected them fordifferent microorganisms.

The most common bacterium that the researchers detected wasstaphylococcus or “staph.” It can cause serious skin infections, pimplesand boils.

Another germ that was found is bacillus anthracis. This can cause foodpoisoning.

In light of the foregoing, casinos and gamblers have begun to approachthis problem in different ways. First, casinos can wash the chips indifferent solutions or rub them with alcohol. While this may be feasibleto do occasionally before certain key events such as a major gamblingcompetition, it is not something that can be done on a regular basissuch as a weekly or monthly basis. Another disadvantage with thisapproach is that the customer does not know when the chips were lastcleaned and therefore may be worried and hesitant to gamble.

Another approach is to provide gamblers with a sterilized latex glove.While this may fit with some cultures in the world it may seem strangeto gamblers who have been “regulars” at casinos in the United States andLas Vegas in particular.

A third approach that currently exists involves hand sanitizers. Theseare ubiquitous in the United States and effective so there would be nohesitation based on cultural norms. However, there is an expenseassociated with providing and replacing these at every table andtherefore gamblers are typically forced to bring their own sanitizerwith them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there exists a need to sanitize the chips present at casinotables to reduce or eliminate germs, bacterium and micro-organisms thatare typically present. It is further desired to provide this sanitationin a transparent manner to assure customers that their chips have beenrecently sanitized. Additionally, it is beneficial to provide thissanitation in an automated manner to reduce associated costs.

The present invention utilizes ultraviolet light (hereinafter “UV”) tosanitize chips and chip racks. UV is electromagnetic radiation and maypenetrate the outer cell membrane of a microorganism, break molecularbonds within microorganismal DNA and disrupt the organism's ability toreproduce. The UV light can therefore sterilize the microorganism.

Ultraviolet light corresponds to light with a frequency between 200nanometers (nm) and 400 nm. UV cannot be seen with the naked eye. The UVspectrum can be divided into three categories UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.

UV-A or longwave UV light corresponds to the 315 nm to 400 nm range. Itis sometimes referred to as “black light.”

UV-B or midrange UV corresponds to the 280 nm to 315 nm range and cancause sunburn.

UV-C or germicidal UV light corresponds to the 200 nm to 280 nm rangeand research has shown that the most efficient frequency for microbialdestruction is in the 253 nm to 265 nm range.

In addition to the frequency of the UV light, its effectiveness dependson the dosage which is a product of the intensity of the UV light andthe exposure time. It is usually measured in microjoules per squarecentimeter, or equivalently as microwatt seconds per square centimeter(μW·s/cm2).

For example, for the escherichia coli organism, commonly known as e.coli, a UV dose of 6600 μW·s/cm2 is recommended. The same dosage isrecommended for the influenza virus (“flu”) and staphylococcus aureus(“staph”).

Different sources which may provide UV light include low-pressuremercury lamps, medium pressure mercury lamps, light emitting diodes(LEDs), xenon flash lamps and deuterium lamps.

According to one embodiment of the present invention a chip sanitizingdevice comprises an area that is substantially enclosed and includes asanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb and a power source. One ormore chips is placed within the device and after the germicidal bulb isactivated the one or more chips is sanitized.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a germicidalbulb that emits UV in the optimal range is used to sanitize the chipshoused on a casino chip rack. The embodiment further comprises a casinochip rack that sits upon a housing and where the slots holding the chipshave been altered to contain holes to allow UV light to pass to thechips from within the housing. The embodiment may further comprise asanitizing unit stored within the housing comprising one or moregermicidal bulbs, ballasts, a power source and optionally a fan.

According to another embodiment of the present invention a cover isadapted to sit atop a chip rack as if it were a lid. The cover may be ofany size or shape and substantially covers the exposed area of a chiprack. Within the cover is a sanitizing unit is stored comprising one ormore germicidal bulbs, ballasts, a power source and a fan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective exploded view of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is rear exploded elevational view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the sanitizing layer of an embodiment of aself sanitizing chip rack.

FIG. 7 is a left front perspective exploded view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The inventions are described in sufficient detail for a person skilledin the art to make and use the inventions. The inventions are describedby reference to exemplary embodiments including devices and methods. Theinventions, should not be limited to these embodiments, but may alsoinclude other apparatuses, and methods (not specifically described) inaccordance with the inventions.

FIGS. 1-6 show different views of one embodiment of the presentinvention. As can be seen from FIG. 1 the invention comprises threecomponents: a chip rack, a self-sanitizing layer and a housing.

The first component is the chip rack, 10. The chip rack may be of anystandard configuration and includes a plurality of chip slots 11. Theslots are housed within four different walls. The length and width ofthe chip rack, and the number of chip slots are a matter of choice forthe casino or manufacturer and not relevant to the embodiment disclosed.As shown in FIG. 4, the slots may be contoured in a semicircular fashionsuch that standard chips may be placed upright in the slots. The slotsinclude openings or holes, 12, that allow light to pass through theslots. When the chip rack is viewed from above as in FIG. 5 these holespresent a mesh like appearance. The number of holes in each slot is amatter of choice for the casino with more holes allowing a greateramount of light to pass through. As shown in FIG. 5, each row of eachslot may have five holes but other number of holes are contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention. The slots may be made fromdifferent material including metal alloys and plastic. The back wall ofthe rack also includes two apertures 17 and 18. Apertures 17 and 18 areoptionally included and may be used to fasten the chip rack with thehousing described below through the use of screws.

The second component of this embodiment is the sanitizing layer, 20 asshown in FIG. 6. It includes germicidal bulbs 24 and 25, fan 23,ballasts 21 and 22, junction box 26 and a power source 27. The powersource 27 may be an alternating current (AC) power source. It iselectrically connected to the junction box 26. The junction box iselectrically connected to fan 23 and to ballasts 21 and 22. Each ballastis separately electrically connected to its respective germicidal bulb24 or 25. When the power source is activated, line voltage is suppliedto the ballast which is converted and supplied to its respectivegermicidal bulb. In a further embodiment, the germicidal bulbs, fan,ballasts, junction box and power source may be molded onto a tray madeof a plastic or semi-plastic material.

When one or more of the germicidal bulbs is activated electromagneticradiation is emitted in the direction of the chip rack and may passthrough the holes 12 in slots 11. If any microorganisms lie on thesurface of the chip, the UV may penetrate the outer cell membrane ofthese microorganisms, break the molecular bonds within themicroorganismal DNA and disrupt the organism's ability to reproduce.

When the fan 23 is activated air may be circulated within the housingand thereby draw microorganisms into contact with the UV light emittedby the germicidal bulbs.

The third component of this embodiment is a housing unit 30 as shown inFIG. 1. The housing unit includes four walls and a base and is used tohouse the sanitizing layer 20. The four walls are perpendicularlyattached to the base. The housing is dimensioned such that thesanitizing layer can fit within it and the chip rack 10 can sit atop it.Alternately, chip rack 10 may be fastened to housing unit 30 through theuse of openings 17 and 18.

In a further embodiment, the sanitizing layer includes a power input, apower switch, a controller, a ballast, a germicidal bulb and a fan. Thepower input receives electrical power (such as DC from an internalbattery or from an external source, or AC from an external source) usedto operate the sanitizing layer. The power input can transfer thereceived power directly. The power input may also convert the receivedpower into a form used by the other components of the sanitizing layerincluding the ballast, controller, germicidal bulb and fan. The powerswitch is an on/off switch used to activate the sanitizing layer. Thecontroller may be configured to periodically activate the germicidalbulb through the ballast. The controller may be configured toperiodically activate the fan. The controller can be implemented withanalog components, digital component or both. The controller can also beprogrammable through a wireless or Bluetooth connection.

In a further embodiment the chip sanitizing device may be used to coverchips sitting atop a casino table. As shown in FIG. 7, the chipsanitizing device includes a top component, 41, a left side component,42 a right side component 43 and a back component 44. The top componentis perpendicular to the left, right and back side components and isrectangular in shape. Typically the top component has the same width andlength as the area on the casino table where casino chips lay but may bewithin 5% in measurement of the width and length of the aforementionedarea. Similarly the left and right side components are typically thesame measurement as the width of the top component. The left and rightcomponents have their own thickness. Additionally the length of the backcomponent is the same as the length of the top component. Variousmaterials may be used to construct the top, left, right and backcomponents. As would be understood by a person of skill in the art theseinclude metal and semi-metal alloys, plastics, semi-plastic, ceramicsand wood.

As further shown in FIG. 7 the covering includes a first and secondgermicidal bulb, 46 and 47, respectively. While not shown for simplicitysake, the covering also includes a fan, a first and second ballast, ajunction box and a power source. The power source may be an alternatingcurrent (AC) power source. It is electrically connected to the junctionbox. The junction box is electrically connected to the fan and to thefirst and second ballasts. Each ballast is separately electricallyconnected to its respective germicidal bulb 46 or 47. When the powersource is activated, line voltage is supplied to the ballast which isconverted and supplied to its respective germicidal bulb. The germicidalbulbs, fan, ballasts, junction box and power source are housed withinthe covering. They may be attached to one or more of the left, right,back or top portions of the covering. They may be attached through theuse of lamp support clip. In a further embodiment, the germicidal bulbs,fan, ballasts, junction box and power source may be molded onto a traymade of a plastic or semi-plastic material.

In a further embodiment, a chip sanitizing device comprises an area thatis substantially enclosed and includes a sanitizing unit comprising agermicidal bulb and a power source. One or more chips is placed withinthe device and after the germicidal bulb is activated the one or morechips is sanitized.

In a further embodiment the germicidal bulb is configured to emit UV inthe 253 nm to 265 nm range.

In a further embodiment the controller is programmed such that a dosageof 6600 μW·s/cm2 is delivered by the germicidal bulb.

In a further embodiment the controller is programmed to alternatelyactivate the germicidal bulb for a first period followed by deactivatingthe germicidal bulb for a second period.

In a further embodiment, one of the walls of housing unit 30 may have anopening to allow wiring for the power source of the sanitizing layer 20to extend outside of the housing.

In a further embodiment, the sanitizing unit may contain an additionallight bulb that emits a light that can be more comfortably viewed by thehuman eye. This embodiment may alert customers that the chips are beingsanitized and thereby provide a level of comfort.

In a further embodiment, a lid may be placed on top of chip rack 10. Thelid may cover the chip rack so as to contain the ultraviolet lightwithin the closed chip rack. Additionally the lid may be lined on itsinner portion with a reflective material so as to reflect and intensifythe ultraviolet light within the chip rack and increase the likelihoodthat the air within the chip rack and surfaces of chips will besanitized. One such reflective material is specular aluminum althoughother material may also be suitable.

In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a lid that cansubstantially cover the exposed area of a chip rack. The lid may sitatop the chip rack or alternately may be fastened to it through the useof screws. The lid stores a sanitizing layer that comprises a germicidalbulb, a power source a ballast and a fan. Additionally the lid may belined with a reflective surface within it such that UV radiation isdirected to the chip rack that it covers.

While exemplary apparatus, systems and methods of the invention havebeen described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoingis only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplaryand/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, andthat various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore,the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of thescope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embracesalternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth herein and any equivalentsthereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for sanitizing chips comprising: a chip rack housing defining a plurality of slots adapted to support one or more casino chips wherein the slots comprise one or more openings allowing UV-C light to pass through; a sanitizing layer comprising a UV-C light source, the UV-C light source comprising at least one germicidal bulb and a power supply, the at least one germicidal bulb electrically coupled to the power supply; a housing unit storing the sanitizing layer, the housing unit adapted to attach with the chip rack housing and comprising four walls perpendicularly attached to a base.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing layer further comprises at least one fan electrically coupled to the power supply.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one germicidal bulb electrically coupled to the power source is coupled through the use of a ballast.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein the power source comprises alternating current.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein the sanitizing later is molded onto a tray made of semi-plastic material.
 7. The system of claim 4 wherein the germicidal bulb is configured to emit UV in the 253 nm to 265 nm range.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the sanitizing layer further comprises a programmable controller electrically coupled to the at least one germicidal bulb and the at least one fan.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the programmable controller is programmed such that a dosage of 6600 μW·s/cm2 is delivered by the at least one germicidal bulb.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the sanitizing layer further comprises a non-UV light source electrically coupled to the programmable controller and the power source.
 11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a lid adapted to substantially cover the chip rack, the lid comprised of opaque material and lined with specular aluminum.
 12. A method for sanitizing chips comprising the steps of: a) placing one or more chips on the chip rack of the system of claim 1; b) activating the at least one germicidal bulb for a period of time.
 13. A system for sanitizing chips comprising: a substantially enclosed area where chips may be inserted and a sanitizing unit comprising a UV-C light source, the UV-C light source comprising at least one germicidal bulb and a power supply, the at least one germicidal bulb electrically coupled. to the power supply.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the sanitizing unit further comprises at least one fan electrically coupled to the power supply.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the substantially enclosed area comprises a covering adapted to substantially cover a chip rack.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the substantially enclosed area comprises a left component, a right component, a back component and a top component, wherein the top component is perpendicularly attached to the left component, the right component and the back component.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the sanitizing section is molded onto a tray made of semi-plastic material.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the sanitizing section further comprises a programmable controller electrically coupled to the at least one germicidal bulb and wherein the programmable controller is programmed such that a dosage of 6600 μW·s/cm2 is delivered by the at least one germicidal bulb.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the inner surface of one of the top back, left or right component is lined with specular aluminum. 